Here is a bit of WWII era trivia. Notice how all the sailors pants have
the crease on the side of the leg, and are folded to the inside. In boot
camp, we learned to wash them by hand, hang them up to dry, turn them
inside out, put them under our mattress overnight to press them, then roll
them up real tight and put them in our sea bags. No one forgets that
important part of being a sailor.

July 1944 passing out
citations.

July 1944 Inspection.

Ceremonies when crossing the
equator. Sailors and Marines alike participated in the ceremony, promoting
the team spirit and sense of tradition for which the Independence is
already well known. Crossing the line ceremonies date back to before the
middle ages and are based on the mythological gods of the sea, King
Neptune. Sailors of old feared the seas and to appease the king, paid
their respects. Those who have crossed the line are called Sons of Neptune
or "Shellbacks". Those who have not are referred to as "Pollywogs" and
must prove to King Neptune that they are worthy to sail in his realm.